Job Purpose

To lead the planning, expansion, performance management, and continuous optimization of the Core Network, Intelligent Network (IN), and Value Added Services (VAS) infrastructure by collaborating with business units to translate commercial requirements into technology solutions. The role is responsible for ensuring network scalability, reliability, and service excellence through effective management of strategic technology partners, validation of investment and performance proposals, and leadership of a high-performing team to support business growth, customer experience, and operational efficiency.

Reporting to the Networks Director, the Main Duties Are:

• Interacting with the business departments to determine Core network, IN & VAS needs of the company.
• Carry out intra/inter Packet core network troubleshooting including LTE/5G.
• Analyze Packet Core network reports.
• Liaising with partners (ERICSSON/Nokia/Comviva/Mobelium/ZTE/CISCO) to determine required Core network, IN & VAS expansion & upgrades.
• Ensuring end to end monitoring and reporting of technical product deployment lifecycle is achieved to position the core network optimally in terms of functional delivery.
• Monitoring the performance of the partner regularly and reviewing Core network, IN & VAS performance reports against the prescribed performance standards (KPIs).
• Seeking relevant performance reports/data from the business teams, including field sales staff on the performance of the network and highlighting problem areas for action.
• Identifying performance shortfalls that warrant the levying of penalties and referring these to the Contract Manager for action.
• Promoting a partnership approach to the execution of the managed service contract to minimize conflict between AIRTEL and the vendor.
• Promoting an environment of shared ownership of network performance as well as capex and opex minimization by all partners.

Educational Qualification & Functional/Technical Skills

• Bachelor of Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Telecoms Engineering (Master’s Degree in Engineering is an added advantage).
• 7–10 years of varied experience in Operation and Maintenance in the Telecom industry across varied domains such as field operations, network operations, quality assurance, core network, passive network and telecommunications power.
• At least 5 years’ leadership experience in a GSM/Mobile company.
• Member of the Engineering Institute of Zambia.

Other Requirements

• Strong knowledge of Mobile Core Network planning across 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and IMS technologies.
• Deep understanding of network layer functions such as routing, forwarding, priority & scheduling including congestion control, segmentation & reassembly.
• Ability to understand network layer functions such as routing, forwarding, priority & scheduling including congestion control, segmentation & reassembly.
• Perform network virtualization and software defined network.
• Expertise in Core Network optimization and Operations & Maintenance (O&M).
• Broad cross-domain understanding of Enterprise, RAN and Transmission networks.
• Demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness in problem-solving and solution design.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and transfer knowledge effectively to internal and partner teams.
• In-depth system knowledge across major vendor platforms (Ericsson, Nokia, ZTE, Cisco, Comviva, Mobelium).
• Awareness of evolution of technology to optimize cost and performance efficiency.
• Ability to apply concepts of signalling protocols – SIP, Diameter, TCP/IP, X.25, Frame relay etc. in network resiliency/redundancy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Effective presentation and communication skills.
• Proven negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven exposure working in other different geographies.
• All local and foreign qualifications must be evaluated and/or verified with The Zambia Qualifications Authority.

• Interacting with the business departments to determine Core network, IN & VAS needs of the company.
• Carry out intra/inter Packet core network troubleshooting including LTE/5G.
• Analyze Packet Core network reports.
• Liaising with partners (ERICSSON/Nokia/Comviva/Mobelium/ZTE/CISCO) to determine required Core network, IN & VAS expansion & upgrades.
• Ensuring end to end monitoring and reporting of technical product deployment lifecycle is achieved to position the core network optimally in terms of functional delivery.
• Monitoring the performance of the partner regularly and reviewing Core network, IN & VAS performance reports against the prescribed performance standards (KPIs).
• Seeking relevant performance reports/data from the business teams, including field sales staff on the performance of the network and highlighting problem areas for action.
• Identifying performance shortfalls that warrant the levying of penalties and referring these to the Contract Manager for action.
• Promoting a partnership approach to the execution of the managed service contract to minimize conflict between AIRTEL and the vendor.
• Promoting an environment of shared ownership of network performance as well as capex and opex minimization by all partners.

• Strong knowledge of Mobile Core Network planning across 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and IMS technologies.
• Deep understanding of network layer functions such as routing, forwarding, priority & scheduling including congestion control, segmentation & reassembly.
• Ability to understand network layer functions such as routing, forwarding, priority & scheduling including congestion control, segmentation & reassembly.
• Perform network virtualization and software defined network.
• Expertise in Core Network optimization and Operations & Maintenance (O&M).
• Broad cross-domain understanding of Enterprise, RAN and Transmission networks.
• Demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness in problem-solving and solution design.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and transfer knowledge effectively to internal and partner teams.
• In-depth system knowledge across major vendor platforms (Ericsson, Nokia, ZTE, Cisco, Comviva, Mobelium).
• Awareness of evolution of technology to optimize cost and performance efficiency.
• Ability to apply concepts of signalling protocols – SIP, Diameter, TCP/IP, X.25, Frame relay etc. in network resiliency/redundancy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Effective presentation and communication skills.
• Proven negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven exposure working in other different geographies.

• Bachelor of Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Telecoms Engineering (Master’s Degree in Engineering is an added advantage).
• 7–10 years of varied experience in Operation and Maintenance in the Telecom industry across varied domains such as field operations, network operations, quality assurance, core network, passive network and telecommunications power.
• At least 5 years’ leadership experience in a GSM/Mobile company.
• Member of the Engineering Institute of Zambia.
• All local and foreign qualifications must be evaluated and/or verified with The Zambia Qualifications Authority.